3D printed micro channel plate, method of making and using 3D printed micro channel plate
The invention provides a gain device having a plurality of channels having a polygonal shape with four or more sides. The invention also provides a method for producing microchannel plates (MCPs) having the steps of providing a pre-polymer; and directing a laser over the pre-polymer into a pre-determined pattern. Also provided is method for efficiently 3D printing an object.
1. A method for producing microchannel plates comprising:
a) providing a pre-polymer; and
b) directing a laser over the pre-polymer into a pre-determined pattern to generate a microchannel plate comprising a plurality of channels, wherein the microchannel plate has an open area ratio of at least 80 percent.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the microchannel plate has a diameter of at least one cm and a thickness of at least 1.2 mm.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the method takes less than 24 hours to complete.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the channels are hexagonal.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the method further comprises coating terminating ends of the hexagonal channels with a conductive coating.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the hexagonal channels further comprise an interior surface, and wherein the method further comprises:
c) depositing a resistive layer on the interior surface of the channels; and
d) depositing a secondary electron emissive coating on the resistive layer.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the resistive coating comprises a combination of Al 2 O 3 and tungsten and the secondary electron emissive coating is made from a material selected from the group consisting of Al 2 O 3 , MgO, and combinations thereof.
8. A method for efficiently 3D printing an object comprising:
a) providing a pre-polymer into a sample holder;
b) directing a laser over the pre-polymer in a predetermined pattern to create a layer of an object having a height, H;
c) raising the sample holder a distance equal to H along a latitudinal axis that is parallel to the height of the object and runs through the center of the layer;
d) directing the laser over the pre-polymer in the predetermined pattern;
e) repeating steps a)-d) until the object has a first predetermined area and a predetermined second height;
f) resetting the position of the sample holder;
g) moving the sample holder along a latitudinal axis of the layer a predetermined distance;
h) repeating steps a)-g) until the object has a final area;
i) resetting the position of the sample holder;
j) raising the sample holder by a distance of the predetermined second height plus H along its latitudinal axis; and
k) repeating steps a)-j) until the object has a final area and final height.